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A Lexicon of Alchemy A Lexicon of Alchemy by Martin Rulandus the Elder Translated by Arthur E. Waite John M. Watkins London 1893 / 1964 (250 Copies) A Lexicon of Alchemy or Alchemical Dictionary Containing a full and plain explanation of all obscure words, Hermetic subjects, and arcane phrases of Paracelsus. by Martin Rulandus Philosopher, Doctor, and Private Physician to the August Person of the Emperor. [With the Privilege of His majesty the Emperor for the space of ten years] By the care and expense of Zachariah Palthenus, Bookseller, in the Free Republic of Frankfurt. 1612 PREFACE To the Most Reverend and Most Serene Prince and Lord, The Lord Henry JULIUS, Bishop of Halberstadt, Duke of Brunswick, and Burgrave of Luna; His Lordship’s mos devout and humble servant wishes Health and Peace. In the deep considerations of the Hermetic and Paracelsian writings, that has well-nigh come to pass which of old overtook the Sons of Shem at the building of the Tower of Babel. For these, carried away by vainglory, with audacious foolhardiness to rear up a vast pile into heaven, so to secure unto themselves an immortal name, but, disordered by a confusion and multiplicity of barbarous tongues, were ingloriously forced. In like manner, the searchers of Hermetic works, deterred by the obscurity of the terms which are met with in so many places, and by the difficulty of interpreting the hieroglyphs, hold the most noble art in contempt; while others, desiring to penetrate by main force into the mysteries of the terms and subjects, endeavour to tear away the concealed truth from the folds of its coverings, but bestow all their trouble in vain, and have only the reward of the children of Shem for their incredible pain and labour. Unto both these classes I wish to come forward with help, that they may not only seek more diligently into the writings of the Hermetists, but that they may understand them better, and that in this manner the divine Art of Alchemy may be more successfully taken in hand. For which reason I have concluded to publish this Lexicon of Alchemy, formerly compiled, and enlarged and completed since by me. Which also I would dedicate to one who shines over all princes, not only in knowledge of the learned languages and more celebrated arts, but also daily shows himself, by his singular industry and skilful hand, most intelligent and studious in the Art of Chemistry. Whence I have justly brought this trivial work to be consecrated by your patronage, well knowing that it will receive no small increase of reputation from the greatness of your erudition and from your illustrious name; and as in some way a monument of most humble reverence, it shall stand forth to its own greater adornment and preservation in the future. Fare thou well, most serene and learned lord, and hold me and mine as committed unto thy care. With humblest deference, Your respectful Servant, MARTINUS RULANDUS, Doctor. A LEXICON OF ALCHEMY by MARTINUS RULANDUS, PHILOSOPHER AND PHYSICIAN. A A A AABAM, ABARTAMEN, ACCIB, AIARAZAT --- are all Hermetic equivalents for lead. See Plumbum and Saturn.Other equivalents in use were the Scape-Goat, the Dual Chibor, Draiccium, Elevator, Araxat, Alusa, Ruba, Alech, Allonoch, Alabrig, Alokot, Armic, Amioch, Amitich, Araxat, Azoro, Balamba, Cartistilium, Koal, Molybdos, Mosquet dei, Molibra, Mosider, Rasas, Rasasa, Rolos, Roe, Rocli. All these are technical terms, which in themselves have no meaning, but which were used to signify Lead. ABACUS --- A counting-board, table or tray, etc. ABACUS MAJOR --- A larger table, etc. ABESAMUM --- The mire or grease which accumulates on the axle of a wheel. ABESUM --- Unslaked lime. ABESS --- is the same as Rebis, to wit, the last matter of the nutriments which are absorbed by the body; that is to say, it is the excrement of the bowels. ABESTUS --- Albesten, Abesten, and Morago, are Hermetic names for Asbestos. ABICUM --- A cover. ABLATIO --- A separation by means of the superior part. It is performed after several manners. In the dry region, where there is less specific gravity, such cleansing can be effected by the hare's foot or like agents. Sometimes we accomplish separation with a feather, with small knives, spatulas, etc. At other times, we purge in a narrow bag, with twigs, and with wooden, iron, and bristly substances. ABLUTION --- is exaltation by means of successive lustrations, washing away the impure refuse, and reducing the matter to a pure state. It is also called Imbibition and Cohobation, or digestion. ABLUVIEN --- Cleansing. ABNELEITEM --- is Alum; also called Asfor. ABOIT, or ABIT --- is White Lead. The same thing is signified by Alkarad, Almachabar, and Alsiden. ABRIC, KIBRIT, and KIBUZ --- are names of Sulphur. ACACIA FERREA --- An iron spoon. ACAHI --- is Alum-water; called also Fefcol. ACAID --- is Vinegar, or sour substances. ACALAI --- is Salt; called also Alet. ACAMECH, or ACEMECH --- is the scoria or refuse of Silver. ACARTUM --- is Cinnabar or Red Lead; called also Azemasor. ACATO --- is Soot; called also Araxos. ACAZDI --- is Jupiter, or Tin; called also Alkain and Alomba. ACCATU --- is Tinsel; called also Aurichalcum, properly Orichalcum, which is the brass of the ancients. Accatem signifies the same. ACCORDINA --- is Indian tutty; called also Alcordine. ACETABULUS --- A vessel for vinegar, or a cup-shaped vessel, holding as much as would an eggshell. ACETUM --- Vinegar. ACETUM AMINEUM --- White vinegar. Acetum also signifies sour wine, and in this sense Acetum Amineum would be sour white wine, wine of Aminaea, which was distinguished for vine culture. ACETUM PHILOSOPHORUM --- is Philosophical Vinegar, that is, Virgin's Milk, or Mercurial Water, in which metals are dissolved. One of its Hermetic names was Sophic Hydor. According to Theophrastus, the Philosophical Vinegar is the Chemist's Vitriol-water, but the Turba states that it is the water of mercury which dissolves gold. Others affirm that Philosophical Vinegar is that which is made from fresh shells of tortoises by sublimation and distillation. ACETUM RADICALE --- is Radical Vinegar, or Vinegar distilled from its proper radix or matrix. It is also called dissolvent water. ACETUM RADICATUM --- or Radicated Vinegar signifies in some authors that most sharp liquor of vinegar which remains at the bottom of the retort, after the phlegmatic part has been evaporated. It is made by distillation in the retort out of the crystals of the dregs of vinegar. Or good vinegar, made from wine, may be placed in a retort, distilled gently by a moist heat, often poured back upon its caput mortuum, and dissolved in dung, after which it must be finally distilled, when that which is left may be taken and liquefied in a strong fire. The result is radicated vinegar. ACHATES --- The Agate, first found in Sicily, near the river of that name, and afterwards in other localities, as testifies Pliny, 1. 37 c. 10. There are various species, each bearing separate names: Jaspachates, Ceradhates, Sardachates, Haemachates, Leucachates, Dendrachates, the veins of which are like unto minute trees; Autachates, which, when burnt, gives forth fragrance of myrrh; Coralloachates, distinguished by a golden speckling, after the manner of the sapphire; this variety is found in Crete. Agates are a safeguard against the bite of the spider, and eagles carry them to their nests to defend their fledglings against venomous animals. They allay thirst and strengthen sight. Concerning the rest, consult Pliny in the place cited, who also relates that various impressions of figures appear in agates; in some, for example, may be seen rivers, woods, cattle, beasts of burden, herds, war-chariots, minute statues, and the furniture or ornaments of horses. In particular, he relates (1. 37, c. 1) how Pyrrhus had an agate gem in which could be seen Apollo and the nine Muses, with their insignias. I myself have beheld a gem belonging to a nobleman, which, however, was not a true agate, but when the blemishes had been dispersed, it exhibited a rustic and a complete plough. I found also another at Albion Silicem, near the gate of Tangra, wherein appeared the likeness of a wolf or a lion, near a half-rose, so clearly cut by nature as though the work had been done by a jeweller. Most credible truly are those things of Pliny when writing of the impressions upon this kind of stone. ACIES--- Steel. ACORTINUS --- A lupine, wolf's-bean, or horse-bean. ACSUO --- is Red Coral. ACUREB --- Glass. ACUS --- A needle. ACUSTA --- Saltpetre. ADAMAS --- in Arabic Subedhig, in Latin Adamas (Pliny, 1. 37, c. 4), the diamond, which is found both apart from gold and in gold, contrary to the opinion of the ancients, who knew it only as native in gold among the metals of Aethiopia. But for the better understanding of this subject, observe the ensuing scheme, which we have elaborated out of Pliny in part, and in part from other authorities. Not found in gold, and of this there are two species. The Indian diamond, not having its birth in gold, is known by its translucid crystal colour and sex- angular sides; it is either cone-shaped at one end or else it has the form of a lozenge; it is sometimes as large as a hazel. This species is said by Serapion to approximate to the colour of Sal Ammoniac. The Arabian diamond, likewise not found in gold, is smaller than the preceding. Native in the most Perfect Gold. I. The Greek stone called Cenchron, because it is the size of a millet seed. II. Macedonian; generated in gold of Philippi; like the seed of cucumber in size. III. Cyprian; found in Cyprus; approaching brass in colour; most efficacious in healing. IV. Having the splendour of iron sideritis (that is, according to Pliny, a precious stone; according to others it is loadstone ; and again it is the plant ironwort); surpassing the others in weight, but differing from them in nature; can be broken by blows, and pierced by another diamond.
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